Internet marketing, also known as web marketing, digital marketing, online marketing, search marketing is the marketing generally promotion) of products over the internet.

Marketing is basically defined as a multi-step process which includes all the steps from conception of goods, services, idea (collectively referred to as product in marketing parlance) to pricing of product to distribution of the same through some specific channels to exchanging them for something beneficial.

Not only does Marketing include marketing over the internet as its integral component, but also it includes marketing done via e-mail and wireless media. Digital customers data and electronic customer relationship marketing (ECRM) systems are grouped together under internet marketing.

Internet marketing involves everything from SEO to banner ads to Pay Per Click. Advertising companies are hired for sales and bundling of software applications is another commonly used strategy used for online distribution purpose. Sending emails to customers with the help of mailers apart from chain mails is also a part of internet marketing. Google ads, press releases and blogs-all come under the purview of internet marketing. Companies publish monthly newsletter related to their offerings. Special discounts, allowances are also part of the internet marketing techniques. Small companies use local internet marketing in order to promote themselves apart from their products as a supplemental strategy to their real world marketing efforts.

Internet marketing is used based on different business models:

E-commerce:  This is a kind of business model where goods are sold directly to customers in three different forms (B2C), business (B2B), or from consumer to consumer (C2C).

Lead based websites: This is a kind of business model where an organization makes use of websites to acquire sales leads. A real world analogy here would be walk-in customers of a show room.

Affiliate Marketing: Companies use this form of marketing to sell their products and services through some third party. The latter sells products on behalf of the former in lieu of profits.  Affiliates are often provided with marketing material in the form of affiliate links,  sales letters, and  tracking facilities, etc.

Internet is marketing is very advantageous when we consider ratio of cost to the reach of the target audience. Customers are looking for customizable products and the trend is more and more shifting towards customers’ choice.

0 Comment   |   Posted in Internet Marketing September 02, 2011